Globalization, characterized by increased interconnectedness and reduced importance of geographical boundaries, has profoundly impacted various aspects of human life, including the political sphere. While some view globalization as a Western-imposed project, others see it as a natural historical process. This paper avoids such biases, acknowledging the varied impacts of globalization on different nations based on their capacities and understanding of this phenomenon. Globalization undeniably affects nation-states, diminishing their ability to unilaterally impose policies and leading to the delegation of decision-making to transnational organizations. Increased communication and cross-cultural influences create new loyalties that weaken allegiance to governments. The Middle East, however, has shown greater resistance to globalization than other regions. The collapse of the USSR and the end of the Cold War accelerated globalization in the Middle East, creating power vacuums that the US sought to fill, promoting its political, economic, and cultural values. Many Islamic thinkers view globalization's political model (Western-style democracy) as an imposed Western project. The US, however, justifies its interventions in the region (e.g., Iraq and Afghanistan) as efforts to liberate oppressed populations. In the Arab Middle East, power relations have historically been characterized by unequal, unilateral, and imposing relationships between rulers and subjects. Even in countries with democratic institutions, these principles are often not observed, resulting in oligarchic domination. This paper investigates the effects of globalization on power relations in the Arab Middle East, particularly in Egypt and Libya, hypothesizing that globalization's weakening of absolute power and its impact on citizens' attitudes will inevitably lead to a transformation of these power relations.

The paper draws on various theoretical frameworks of globalization, including McLuhan's concept of the "global village," Brzezinski's view of the US's leading role, and interpretations explaining the transition from industrial to meta-industrial society, modernity to postmodernity, and organized to unorganized capitalism. It focuses on the political dimension of globalization, noting its impact on the relationship between society and the nation-state, and how globalization has changed the traditional view of the state as the central political actor. The rise of transnational elements and international organizations weakens nation-state sovereignty. The paper also discusses the concept of structural violence, as defined by Galtung, which encompasses direct violence, economic violence (poverty), political violence (repression), and cultural violence (identity violence). This framework is utilized to analyze the behavior of subjects in Arab Middle Eastern societies. The concept of political legitimacy, particularly Max Weber's notions of traditional and charismatic legitimacy, is explored in the context of the Arab Middle East. The paper notes that in many Arab countries, legitimacy derives from tradition and the perceived qualities of the ruler, leading to personalized power, with elections and parliamentary processes serving primarily symbolic functions.

The paper employs a case study approach, focusing on Egypt and Libya to analyze the impact of globalization on power relations. It examines several key areas: the decline of government control over economic arteries (rentier states), the challenge to the governor's ideological identity, the emergence of new institutions and movements (facilitated by information and communication technologies), the erosion of legitimizing power through increased global transparency, the decline of the state's monopoly on meaning through diversified media, and the change in citizens' attitudes and increased awareness. The analysis draws on various sources, including academic literature, news reports, and websites, to illustrate the changes in power dynamics.

Globalization has significantly challenged traditional power relations in the Arab Middle East. The paper highlights several key aspects: 1. **Economic Liberalization:** The shift away from state-controlled economies has weakened the government's control over its citizens. Privatization, while potentially leading to economic growth, also reduces the state's capacity for control. Citizens are less reliant on the state for economic security, increasing their independence. 2. **Ideological Challenge:** Globalization has challenged the dominant ideological identities imposed by authoritarian regimes. The rise of diverse identities and social movements, facilitated by information and communication technologies, creates a counter-narrative to state-sanctioned ideologies. Examples such as the "We are all Khalid Saeed" Facebook page and the April 6 youth movement in Egypt illustrate how social media played a role in organizing protests and challenging the regime. The Libyan revolution also showcased the use of technology (e.g., Google Earth) in organizing resistance. 3. **Erosion of Legitimacy:** Increased global connectivity makes it harder for authoritarian governments to suppress information and control narratives. Events such as the self-immolations in Tunisia and Egypt, widely broadcast through media outlets, sparked revolutions and highlighted the vulnerability of oppressive regimes. Globalization has increased the cost of maintaining power through repression. 4. **Shift in Legitimacy Criteria:** Citizens are increasingly judging legitimacy based on efficiency and accountability, rather than solely on tradition or security. Media coverage and public scrutiny force governments to address citizens' needs and concerns. 5. **Increased Citizen Awareness:** Globalization has enhanced citizens' access to information, fostering critical thinking and challenging traditional obedience to authority. Citizens are more aware of their rights and less willing to passively accept oppressive rule. 6. **Case Studies of Egypt and Libya:** The uprisings in both countries demonstrate the impact of globalization in weakening the control of authoritarian regimes and empowering citizen movements. The cases illustrate how technology has been utilized to organize protests and disseminate information that countered state-controlled narratives. However, the post-Gaddafi Libya illustrates the challenges of building a stable political system even after the overthrow of an authoritarian ruler.

The findings support the paper's hypothesis that globalization has made the transformation of power relations in the Arab Middle East inevitable. The weakening of governmental control over economic resources, the emergence of counter-narratives to state-sponsored ideologies, the erosion of state legitimacy through increased global transparency, and the changing attitudes of citizens all contribute to this transformation. While the Arab Spring uprisings showcased the potential of citizen mobilization, they also revealed the complexities and challenges of transitioning from authoritarian rule to more democratic systems. The continued struggle in countries like Libya highlights the persistence of challenges to establishing stable and inclusive governance structures.

This paper demonstrates how globalization's multifaceted impact on the Arab Middle East has challenged the long-standing patterns of unequal power relations. The analysis highlights the critical role of information and communication technologies in empowering citizens and weakening authoritarian control. However, it also acknowledges the continued challenges and complexities in building more democratic and stable political systems in the region. Further research could focus on the long-term consequences of the Arab Spring uprisings, the role of specific social media platforms in shaping political discourse, and the challenges of building inclusive governance structures in post-authoritarian societies.

This paper primarily focuses on two case studies, Egypt and Libya. While these are important examples, generalizing the findings to all Arab Middle Eastern countries requires caution. Further research incorporating a broader range of cases is needed for a more comprehensive understanding. The analysis relies heavily on secondary sources and could be further strengthened by incorporating primary data, such as interviews with citizens and political actors.